Meeting a Growing Need for Food and Agriculture Innovation
In New York State, and particularly on Long Island, there is a growing need for innovative educational and workforce opportunities to support local food production, sustainability and agricultural technology.
The FoodLab at Stony Brook Southampton, a campus of the State University of New York (SUNY), has been advancing this mission since its founding in 2015.
SUNY Engages East End Voices on Agritech
On January 22, FoodLab hosted a SUNY AgriTech listening session at the Southampton campus, convening SUNY system leaders, faculty members, university students and local business owners. The discussion gathered community input from the East End of Long Island to inform future plans for the FoodLab to serve as a SUNY AgriTech outpost focused on applied education, workforce development and agricultural and food-system innovation.
The session reflected Stony Brook University’s broad role in advancing workforce development, sustainability and applied research across New York State.
“As a SUNY flagship university, Stony Brook plays a central role in driving innovation that strengthens our workforce and supports the communities we serve,” said Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith. “The FoodLab at Stony Brook Southampton exemplifies the power of collaboration, bringing together SUNY, industry and local partners to advance sustainable agriculture, applied learning and economic opportunity. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient future for Long Island and for the great state of New York.”
At the campus level, that statewide vision is taking shape in ways that reflect the unique agricultural, environmental and cultural landscape of Long Island’s East End.
“On the East End of Long Island, food is deeply connected to our land, our water, our economy and our way of life,” said Wendy Pearson, vice president for strategic initiatives and executive director of Stony Brook Southampton. “At the FoodLab, we bring together farmers, educators, students and community partners to explore how sustainable, environmentally sound food systems can support local livelihoods today while protecting this region for future generations.”
Vision for Agriculture and Workforce Development
SUNY Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and Upward Mobility Chris White and SUNY Chief of Sustainability Officer Carter Strickland led the roundtable discussions, held at the Southampton campus Carriage House.
“One of the first initiatives discussed when I first joined SUNY just over a year ago was the creation of a SUNY AgriTech Center. “It’s not a single physical location, but a systemwide effort to connect agriculture and ag-adjacent education and research across our campuses,” said White. “Just as SUNY leads in advanced manufacturing, AI and quantum networking, we must also elevate agriculture as a high-impact sector.”
White emphasized that the listening tour is a critical step in aligning SUNY’s agricultural assets across New York state.
“We want to fully understand, embrace and elevate the work already underway,” said White. “That will help identify opportunities for investment and partnership with funders and the Legislature. Listening to faculty, system leaders, industry and government partners and students is essential to build a strong, connected ecosystem.”
Technology, Training and the Future of Farming
Carter Strickland underscored the essential role of technology in sustaining agriculture.
“‘No farms, no food’ has long captured the conversation case for agriculture,” Strickland said. “But given today’s economic pressures, a modern corollary might be ‘no technology, no farms.’ That is why SUNY is advancing the AgriTech initiative that builds on our strengths in applied research, workforce training, and innovation. Visiting the FoodLab at Stony Brook Southampton allowed us to explore how technology, education and research can help farmers add value, strengthen family-owned operations, and keep farms viable for future generations.”
Building Momentum Across the SUNY System
In November, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. announced the launch of the SUNY Agritech Center and convened an Agriculture Technology Summit.
“That’s why we are conducting this listening tour,” said Chris White. “Our goal is to visit campuses across the SUNY system and engage directly with the people advancing agriculture and ag-adjacent initiatives on the ground.”
The FoodLab: A Hub for Applied Education and Community Collaboration on Long Island
What began as a series of conversations among farmers, chefs, educators and community members has grown into a recognized center for education, innovation and collaboration focused on building a more sustainable, equitable and resilient food future.
Located off of Tuckahoe Road on the Stony Brook Southampton campus, the FoodLab hosts symposiums and workshops dedicated to the future of food. In addition to a large vegetable garden, greenhouse and hoop houses, the FoodLab is adding a community garden in the spring.
Long Island’s Expanding Agricultural Economy
Long Island is the fourth largest revenue generator in New York state in agriculture and farming.
According to the Office of the New York State Comptroller, Long Island farms had nearly $373 million in total agricultural sales in 2022, an increase of 64% from 2017. Suffolk County leads the state in direct-to-consumer and local retail sales, with more than $268 million in such transactions. As a result, local dollars spent on agricultural products remain in the regional economy.
“No one thinks of Long Island as a major producer, but the growth of agriculture in this region is remarkable,” said FoodLab Executive Director Judiann Carmack-Fayyaz. “That growth creates a real need for education and training that emphasizes efficiency, innovation and sustainability, so people can live, work and farm here successfully. These listening sessions brought these perspectives together in a meaningful way.”
Stony Brook Interdisciplinary Faculty and Workforce Partnerships
Faculty and researchers from across disciplines – including anthropology, sustainability studies, marine science, and electrical and computer engineering – shared insights on sustainability challenges, student education and workforce training. “It was exciting to see such a wide range of faculty and students engaged in the discussion,” said Pearson. “The opportunity for collaborative courses, research and experiential learning is significant, and it’s essential that students are a part of these conversations.”
Pearson also highlighted partnerships with the Suffolk County Department of Labor and the Taste of the Trades Program, which provides training in small-scale farming as initiatives with strong potential for expansion at the Stony Brook Southampton campus.
“Our goal is to raise awareness of SUNY’s impact on Long Island and the role of Stony Brook University in supporting food, climate and sustainability systems from Manhattan to Montauk,” Pearson said.
About the SUNY Agritech Center Initiative
The SUNY Agritech Center, part of Chancellor John B. King Jr.’s 2025 State of the University Policy Agenda, brings together key partners in state government, industry, and SUNY campuses to address the current and future needs of New York’s agricultural industry.
“The SUNY Agritech Center embodies SUNY’s important role supporting rural communities to be leaders in the agricultural economy,” said King. “The launch of the SUNY Agritech Center builds on New York State’s ongoing work to address industry needs through education, workforce development, research, and more. I look forward to seeing our SUNY campuses work with state and local partners to lead innovation in this industry.”
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